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Trusting God More Than Speculation
Trusting God is another lesson we learn from the account of Melchizedek.
Many people are led astray through a lack of knowledge, false teaching, distorted facts, fables and myths. Today, social media algorithms often feed what the Bible calls "itching ears." They present people with ideas that agree with their opinions rather than challenge them with the truth.
Even Christians can fall into this trap. Our own emotions, personal biases and desires can influence how we read Scripture. Like Israel in biblical times, we often struggle with wanting to please people and fit in with the world around us. This is one reason God repeatedly warned Israel about adopting the beliefs and practices of the surrounding nations.
2 Timothy 4:3–4 says:
"For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction that challenges them with God's truth. Instead, to satisfy their own desires, they will gather teachers who tell them what they want to hear. They will turn away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
The enemy's methods have not changed. Only the tools have changed. Today those tools include technology, social media and marketing. The goal is still the same—to create confusion, division within the body of Christ and ultimately a falling away from the faith.
The Church has been building on the foundation laid by Christ and the apostles for nearly two thousand years. Yet we must ask ourselves: Are we continuing to build on that foundation, or are we allowing ourselves to be distracted from it?
Jesus Himself said that "the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light" (Luke 16:8). The world often plans its strategies carefully. As believers, we should be equally committed to knowing the truth, living it and sharing it faithfully.
Our calling is to strengthen and unify the body of Christ. True transformation begins when God's people awaken to His truth. I hope to explore this subject more fully in future articles.
Peter reminds us that the apostles did not build their message on myths.
2 Peter 1:16 says:
"For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty."
The apostles wrote about what they saw, heard and experienced. Throughout the New Testament they remain consistent on the essential truths of the Christian faith.
These include:
Jesus' words and works.
The call to repentance and conversion.
Jesus as the mediator of the New Covenant.
Jesus as the Word of God.
Jesus' humanity, born of a virgin, as the Son of Man.
The miracles of Christ.
The miracles that followed through faith in His name.
The command to preach, teach and spread the Gospel.
Jesus as the Saviour of the world.
Jesus as the true and living God.
Jesus as the Son of God.
Believers as heirs and joint heirs with Christ.
Believers as ambassadors of Christ and a royal priesthood.
The complete and perfect work of the Cross.
The power of the blood of Jesus.
The ministry of reconciliation flowing from the Father's love.
Salvation by grace through faith, not by works.
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit, who brings to believers all that Christ has accomplished for them.
Believers have power and authority over the wiles and plans of the enemy.
These themes appear throughout the New Testament and are rooted in the Old Testament. As the Church builds on these truths, believers grow in unity, maturity and love. Imagine the harvest of souls that could be gathered into God's Kingdom if we remained focused on these foundations. We would be building the walls or repairing the walls. We will be building from the foundation which a next step.
The book of Hebrews brings many of these themes together. It does not present Melchizedek as an isolated figure. Instead, his priesthood becomes the meeting point of several great biblical themes: covenant, kingship, priesthood, righteousness, peace, inheritance, eternal life, Christ's once-for-all sacrifice and our access to God. Hebrews uses Melchizedek to show how Jesus fulfils God's redemptive plan in a priesthood that is greater than that of Levi.
How confusion surrounding Melchizedek is often used
Confusion about Melchizedek can become a doorway for false teaching. Some common examples include:
Focusing on his ethnicity in ways that create unnecessary division over the Canaanites rather than understanding the biblical account.
Using modern political or emotional issues, such as debates surrounding Israel, Jerusalem, Palestine and Gaza, to distract from what Genesis is actually teaching.
Claiming that because the Bible does not answer every question, it cannot be trusted.
Introducing teachings about Melchizedek that present a different gospel or a false view of Christ.
Claiming that Israel invented or hijacked the priesthood and that Jesus is therefore not the promised Messiah.
Using Abraham's tithe to Melchizedek to argue that the biblical principle of giving has no relevance today without considering the wider teaching of Scripture.
Paul repeatedly warned believers about this kind of error.
1 Timothy 1:4 warns against myths and endless genealogies that produce speculation rather than God's work, which is by faith. In the case of Melchizedek it is a question of genealogies.
Titus 1:14 tells believers not to pay attention to human myths that turn people away from the truth.
1 Timothy 4:7 simply says:
"Have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths."
What are "silly myths"?
Many ideas shared on social media and presented as research are not based on careful scholarship or sound methods of investigation. They often rely on assumptions, selective evidence and emotional appeals rather than facts. They are designed to provoke reactions instead of helping people discover the truth.
This brings us back to a simple but important question.
Do I trust God?
Do I believe that what God has revealed in Scripture is true?
Do I also believe that what He has chosen not to reveal is not necessary for my salvation or for understanding His purposes?
When Abraham entered an unfamiliar land, he brought Lot with him. Over time, God taught Abraham to trust Him completely.
Are we doing the same? Are we allowing others to create a "veil" over our eyes? Are we allowing endless questions, speculation and myths to pull us away from the solid foundation of God's Word?
Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law."
Ask God to forgive you for engaging or listening to myths, fables, genealogies. Ask The Holy Spirit to help you filter out the deceit of the enemy. Remember there is a difference in seeking truth or seeking to break down believers. Ask God to forgive you for listening to and entertaining, a false Jesus or a false gospel. Click here for part 1
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